Make Small Changes Toward Better Health

Feel free to indulge a little during the holiday season.

AARP St. Louis has joined with the City of St. Louis Department of Health to support your 2015 resolutions toward a better life with a 10-week “Small Changes for Health” program. The system promotes gradual increases in better decision-making rather than a rapid approach.

The Web-based Small Changes plan provides tips and activities that promote a healthier lifestyle at your pace. Each week, the program adds a new regimen that boosts your workouts and efforts to eat better. AARP St. Louis will have a weekly section of healthy tips on the program’s Web page.

“What makes it work is you’re not asking people to make massive changes,” said Lori Jones, a Health Department program manager for nutrition services. “You’re asking people to make choices that are doable for a short period of time. And they find it’s not as difficult as they might believe to make healthier choices.”

In the first week, for example, you might be asked for a few measurements to get a baseline and an idea of where you want to go. Week 2 could include a new stretching program and tips on how to exercise more effectively and safely.

For more information, go to smallchangesforhealth.com.
—Jason L. Young